You can pour a fortune into a home, but that doesn’t always guarantee it feels high-end. Sometimes, it’s the little details—outdated fixtures, clashing decor, or overlooked finishes—that end up sending the wrong message. Even in the most luxurious spaces, certain choices can unintentionally make a home come off as cheap. Want to know what to avoid? Here are 14 surprising things that can make even an expensive home feel less than polished.
1. Outdated Window Treatments
Heavy drapes and outdated blinds aren’t doing your home any favors. Those thick, dust-collecting curtains scream “grandma’s house” rather than chic and modern. Even worse, old-school vertical blinds can instantly age a space. According to Realtor.com, outdated window treatments are a red flag for potential buyers because they hint at a neglected home.
The fix? Swap heavy drapes for airy, light-filtering curtains or sleek roller shades. If privacy is a concern, layered window treatments—like sheer curtains with blackout panels—offer a stylish and functional solution. Your guests (and your future self) will thank you.
2. Popcorn Ceilings
If your ceiling looks like a popcorn explosion from the ’70s, it’s time for an upgrade. Not only are these bumpy surfaces outdated, but they can also make your space feel smaller and dingy. Plus, they’re notoriously hard to clean. If you’ve been putting off removing them, just know that your guests are definitely noticing—and silently judging. According to Bob Vila, popcorn ceilings can even hurt your home’s resale value, making it harder to sell when the time comes.
Removing popcorn ceilings can be a messy job, but it’s worth it. Many homeowners opt for a sleek, flat finish or a more modern texture to keep things fresh. If you’re not ready for a full removal, at least make sure any cracks or discoloration are handled. Otherwise, it’s basically a flashing neon sign that says, “I haven’t updated this place in decades!”
3. Harsh Overhead Lighting
Lighting can make or break a room, and bad lighting is one of the easiest ways to make a space feel uninviting. Harsh overhead lights—especially those outdated boob lights—cast unflattering shadows and make everything feel sterile. Designers at The Spruce emphasize the importance of layered lighting to create warmth and ambiance.
Swap out those outdated fixtures for something more modern, like pendant lights or recessed lighting. Adding table lamps, sconces, or dimmable options can also help create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Your guests will appreciate the mood shift—and so will your selfies.
4. Over-the-Top Bathroom Themes
We get it, you love the beach. But turning your bathroom into an all-out nautical explosion—complete with seashell soap dishes and “Live, Laugh, Love” signs—might be a little much. Themes can be fun, but when they’re overdone, they can quickly feel kitschy. House Beautiful reports that modern bathrooms are all about minimalism and timeless design rather than hyper-specific themes.
Instead of plastering your bathroom with themed decor, try incorporating subtle elements. A few textured towels or a piece of wall art can hint at your love for the ocean without making guests feel like they just stepped onto a cruise ship.
5. Fake Plants
Fake plants can be a lifesaver if you lack a green thumb, but if they look too plastic-y, they’re doing more harm than good. Nothing screams “tacky” like dust-covered, unnaturally shiny leaves that haven’t been touched in years. Even plant experts agree! Apartment Therapy says that while faux greenery can work, it needs to be high quality and well-placed.
If you must go faux, opt for realistic-looking plants in stylish pots. And for the love of home decor, dust them once in a while! Mixing in real plants alongside high-quality faux ones can also help maintain a natural aesthetic without the maintenance.
6. Matching Furniture Sets
Buying a matching living room set might seem like an easy way to decorate, but it can quickly make your home look like a furniture showroom. Too much coordination feels dated and uninspired. Instead, design experts suggest mixing textures, materials, and styles for a curated, lived-in vibe.
If you already own a matching set, break it up! Swap a chair or coffee table for something different. Adding unique accent pieces and layering in personal decor will help your space feel more intentional and less like a furniture catalog.
7. Giant Leather Recliners
Yes, they’re comfortable, but those massive leather recliners that swallow half the living room? They’re an eyesore. Unless you have a dedicated media room, they can overwhelm your space and make it feel cramped.
Opt for a stylish yet cozy chair that still offers support without dominating the entire room. If you absolutely refuse to part with the recliner, try balancing it with lighter, more modern furniture pieces to keep things from feeling too bulky.
8. Cluttered Open Shelving
Open shelving can look amazing—when done right. But if it’s packed with mismatched dishes, random knickknacks, and overflowing with clutter, it’s giving chaos. The goal is to make shelves look intentional, not like a storage dumping ground.
The fix? Stick to a color scheme and only display items that actually enhance the space. Group similar objects together and incorporate decorative pieces to break up the visual clutter. If all else fails, maybe closed cabinets are the way to go.
9. Overly Trendy Decor That Dates Quickly
While it’s fun to stay current with home design trends, going all-in on the latest fads can quickly make your space feel more like a showroom than a reflection of your personal style. Overly trendy decor—think fast-fashion furniture, viral color schemes, or that “it” item everyone has on Instagram—tends to age quickly and lose its charm just as fast as it appeared. When every corner of your home is chasing what’s hot right now, it can feel inauthentic, impersonal, and worse, outdated within a year or two.
The key to timeless style is balance. Incorporating a few trend-forward pieces is totally fine—fun, even—but anchoring your design with classic, well-crafted elements helps your space stand the test of time. Otherwise, your home runs the risk of becoming a revolving door of must-have items that lack depth and longevity. Trend-chasing may make your home feel “of the moment,” but it rarely creates a space that feels truly yours.
10. Excessive Word Art
Word art—those decorative signs and wall hangings that spell out things like “Live, Laugh, Love” or “Bless This Mess”—can quickly veer into tacky territory, no matter how well-intentioned. While they aim to inspire or add personality, these mass-produced phrases often come off as generic and cliché. Instead of reflecting your unique style or story, they tend to blend into the background, saying little about the actual people who live in the space. When every other home has the same sayings in the same fonts, the charm wears off fast.
Another downside is that word art can interrupt the flow of your decor by drawing too much attention to itself without offering much substance. Great design tells a visual story through texture, color, and meaningful pieces—not through literal signage. Rather than relying on pre-packaged inspiration, try expressing your personality with original artwork, family heirlooms, or pieces that spark conversation. Your space will feel more authentic, personal, and timeless—no catchy catchphrases required.
11. Plastic-Wrapped Furniture
Plastic covers on furniture may have been practical in the past, but today they tend to scream “outdated” rather than stylish or savvy. While the intention is often to protect expensive or sentimental pieces, the result is a look that’s more reminiscent of a museum or waiting room than a welcoming home. The shiny, crinkly material detracts from the natural beauty of the furniture itself, hiding textures, patterns, and craftsmanship that should be enjoyed—not sealed away.
Beyond appearance, plastic covers can also make a space feel uncomfortable and uninviting. They’re noisy, sticky in warm weather, and awkward to sit on, which goes against the very purpose of cozy, functional furniture. A well-lived-in home should strike a balance between maintaining quality and creating a warm, livable environment. Embracing the occasional wear and tear—or choosing washable slipcovers or durable fabrics instead—keeps your space looking both polished and practical, without the tacky plastic barrier.
12. Too Many Personal Photos in Common Spaces
While personal photos can add warmth and character to a home, going overboard with them can quickly veer into tacky territory. Walls and surfaces cluttered with dozens of family portraits, vacation snapshots, and candid moments can overwhelm a space and make it feel more like a scrapbook than a thoughtfully designed room. Instead of enhancing your decor, too many personal photos can distract from the overall aesthetic and make the space feel overly busy or chaotic.
Another issue is that an abundance of personal photos can limit the versatility of your home’s design. It’s hard to create a cohesive, stylish atmosphere when every wall and shelf is dominated by ultra-specific memories. A more curated approach—selecting a few meaningful photos in cohesive frames or creating a small gallery wall—can still reflect your personality without overpowering the room. Remember, good decor strikes a balance between personal and polished.
13. Overly Themed Bedrooms
Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, not a theme park attraction. While it’s totally fine to embrace a style you love, going all-in on a single theme—whether it’s a Parisian paradise, a rustic farmhouse overload, or a superhero shrine—can make the space feel more like a gimmick than a cozy retreat. Guests who stay overnight (or even just take a peek) might be thinking, Is this a bedroom or a set design?
The key is balance. If you love a theme, incorporate it subtly. Instead of Eiffel Tower lamps, curtains, bedding, and wall decals, opt for a few tasteful Parisian-inspired pieces alongside neutral decor. The same goes for any aesthetic—mix and match to keep things stylish, not overwhelming. Your guests (and your future self) will appreciate a space that feels thoughtfully curated rather than a one-note Pinterest board from 2012.
14. Cheap, Builder-Grade Light Fixtures
You know those super basic, brass dome light fixtures that seem to come with every apartment and older home? Yeah, those need to go. They’re functional, sure, but they also scream “I haven’t updated anything since move-in day.” Light fixtures are one of the easiest ways to modernize a space, and guests definitely notice when they’re outdated.
Luckily, swapping them out is easy and budget-friendly. Stylish flush mounts, pendant lights, or even a modern chandelier can instantly elevate a room. If you’re renting or on a tight budget, consider upgrading with removable, renter-friendly options. A little lighting glow-up can take your home from “meh” to “wow” in no time.
